Nuvaring question

Avatar for rnin2003
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Nuvaring question
4
Wed, 02-25-2004 - 7:58am
First off I want to say I LOVE the Nuvaring! I have a question on how to delay or skip my period, I was supposed to remove it yesterday and start my period on Saturday. I want to either wait and take the ring out on Sunday and start a period sometime during the week or skip the period all together. I have read you can leave it in for 28 days and still be protected. Is that right? So for the maximum protection do you take it out, wait for your period and put it in 7 days later or do you use rings back to back? Or could I take this one out and put a new one in right away? Thank you for clearing this up for me!
Avatar for rnin2003
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Wed, 02-25-2004 - 8:28am
Judie, I did some searching and I see where you did back to back rings and you said you went 4 and 1/2 weeks without bleeding. How long did your bleeding last? Was it that annoying "spot a little for 2 weeks" type of thing? I know everyone is different, but I was wondering what it was like for you. Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 02-26-2004 - 8:23am

When I did rings back to back, I took the first one out as I normally would, put in the second one, and started bleeding a week and a half later. What I did was wait until Sunday (my normal ring change day) and then I took the second ring out, waited a week, and then started over the next Sunday.


In theory, my guess is that I started bleeding because I had developed more endometrium than I was providing the progestin to support.

Judie Cl for Birth Control 
Avatar for rnin2003
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Thu, 02-26-2004 - 9:09am
Thanks Judie! I think I am going to take it out on Sunday (so 5 days later than usual) and go from there. That'll move my periods to the middle of the week too! I have another trip coming up in March that I'm trying to avoid it and I think that'll work out perfectly. I was just worried about it being less effective the longer you left it in, but I'm not even leaving it in for 28 days. Thanks again!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2003
Thu, 02-26-2004 - 10:00pm
I keep my Nuvaring in for a full four weeks. It contains enough hormone to last effectively that long. I put in a new ring and avoid bleeding altogether. BCP include and inactive week to menstruate, but its not necessary since the way they work is by tricking your body into thinking your pregnant. I have not experienced any side effects or even spotting using this method. I've been doing this for several months and have had no problems. And it wasn't my idea either, it was my doc's idea. She explained to me that it is not harmful to not have regular menstrual cycles. We were never intended to menstruate with the regularity and frequency that most women experience now. Most childbearing women long ago were usually pregnant, lactating, or not menstruating due to inadequate nutrition.